Aquatics Study

In 2018, Lenexa Parks & Recreation commissioned a study of the city’s aquatics facilities and their ability to serve community needs in a fiscally responsible way. Waters Edge Aquatic Design was hired to evaluate facility conditions, identify modernization strategies, predict the demand for aquatics facilities, and estimate expenses for future capital improvements. The assessment focused largely on the outdoor pools: Ad Astra, Indian Trails and Flat Rock Creek.

Major findings

Lenexa’s existing outdoor pools are large and expensive to operate.

Pools are in close proximity to each other, and all are geographically located in the eastern third of the city (east of I-435).

Facilities have aged and lack modern amenities that attract attendance (only about 45,000 visits per year between all three outdoor pools).

High expenses and low revenue results in significant subsidy to operate outdoor pools.

When considering changes to Lenexa’s outdoor aquatics facilities and programming, Waters Edge Aquatic Design advises that Lenexa add modern amenities; look for ways to serve the growing population including all areas of the city; and reduce the overall size of outdoor pool facilities to be more financially sustainable and responsible.
For cost estimation purposes, the study presented a variety of scenarios the city could take when replacing facilities.

The study results will serve as a planning tool to help city leadership make informed decisions about the future of Lenexa's aquatics facilities. As funding becomes available and proposals are considered for the future of our aquatics system, the aquatics study’s findings — combined with public input — will provide a framework for determining what locations and types of aquatics facilities are best suited to meet the needs of the city as a whole.

Future of Ad Astra Pool

The aging Ad Astra Pool will be permanently closed after the 2019 summer season due to many reasons, including poor physical condition, ongoing structural problems with the site, accessibility issues, lack of recreational amenities, low attendance, large size and expense. Learn more

Indian Trails Aquatic Center and Flat Rock Creek Pool can accommodate the existing outdoor aquatics programs that would be transitioned from Ad Astra Pool. Staff are exploring ideas for replacing Ad Astra Pool with other recreational amenities and will work with surrounding neighborhoods and stakeholders to seek input on proposed changes.

A proposal to allocate funds to demolish Ad Astra Pool and replace it with new amenities will be considered as part of the 2020 Capital Improvement Program budget later in 2019. Flat Rock Creek Pool and Indian Trails Aquatic Center will remain open for the foreseeable future.